Chapter 5

The mask was a half-mask, yet exquisitely ornate. Crafted from delicate ivory-colored porcelain, it was solid and smooth, plated with gold, and adorned with intricate butterfly and flower designs around the eyes.

Idina accepted it without a word, following the servant’s instructions to secure it on her face. Then she glanced around.

While one could still roughly distinguish people by their clothing, everyone—regardless of gender—was dressed in the latest fashion. Though the decorations varied slightly, the shape and color of the outfits were almost identical.

It was clear the royal family had gone to great lengths to ensure anonymity. All the masks were identical in shape: butterfly-and-flower designs for the women, and eagle wings for the men.

I can’t tell anyone apart…

Without seeing their faces, recognizing anyone seemed nearly impossible. She might be able to identify a few familiar figures through conversation, but even that would be a challenge.

At this rate, I won’t be able to find anyone I know.

She glanced back at the Duke of Bride, who had been scowling ever since hearing about the masquerade. His plan to confront the Duke of Lilles about the abrupt breakup had likely collapsed before the evening even began.

Still, Idina realized, wearing a mask might make the story of her broken engagement even more entertaining to others.

People tend to grow bolder when their faces are hidden.

As the mask settled more snugly against her skin, she felt a strange, tingling tension.

And then a voice cut through the crowd.

“Idina?”

It was Elliot Bride—her only anchor in this sea of strangers. Holding her hand, he guided her forward like a beacon. She clutched his white-gloved hand tightly.

In a low voice, just for him to hear, she asked,
“Why are we suddenly having a masquerade at the royal palace?”

Elliot gave a short, sheepish laugh.

“Well… for fun?”

He scratched the back of his head, clearly aware that his guess was less than convincing.

“Let’s go in first,” he said, gently tugging her hand. “Hold on tight.”

“I will,” she replied softly.

Elliot looked after Idina with the same gentle attentiveness he had shown back when they were children playing in the duke’s courtyard.

The banquet hall was more splendid and luxurious than anything she had seen before.

The center of the building was slightly sunken, and from the high ceiling, delicate streams of water trickled down like indoor fountains. The sound of falling water blended beautifully with the soft music emanating from the dance floor, where nobles were beginning to gather. Along the grand pillars dividing the hall and corridor, elegant benches had been placed for guests to rest.

Crystal chandeliers clung to the walls and ceilings, casting a gentle shimmer across the room. A long red carpet stretched toward a raised platform, where the royal family was expected to sit—though their seats remained empty for now.

The vast banquet hall extended all the way up to the second and third floors, and nobles had already filled the railings of the upper balconies, peering down at the scene below. Idina thought that some of them might have slipped into private rooms behind the railings—secret rendezvous were no doubt already underway.

The entire atmosphere felt freer than any banquet she had ever attended.

It seemed that the anonymity of the masks gave people courage. Freed from the burden of being seen, they moved more naturally, spoke more boldly.

Still, she was relieved there was at least some way to distinguish between men and women. Despite her earlier assumption that everything would be chaos, the masked gathering had quickly found its own sense of order.

Groups of women naturally clustered together as always, and some had already settled at the tables arranged throughout the banquet hall.

Clearly, old habits from countless banquets were hard to break.

Idina gave Elliot a small nod, signaling that she would go on her own from here. Slipping her hand from his, she made her way toward a familiar group of young ladies.

As she approached, she heard light laughter mixed with hushed curiosity.

“Why is this happening all of a sudden in the Imperial Palace…?”

“His Majesty said there would be an important announcement. Could it be related?”

Then, a voice chimed in with a topic that instantly caught Idina’s attention.

“By the way, did you hear that story?”

“What story?”

Some of the girls had already figured out each other’s identities and were chatting as comfortably as they would at any other banquet. Fortunately, none of them had realized that she was Idina—at least not yet.

“The Bride and Lilles families called off their engagement.”

“Oh my…”

One person sighed—a sound laced with joy, yet tinged with regret. It seemed they were disappointed that such an intriguing story had only just come up.

Idina paid the tale no mind. To some, it might have been a funny joke, but she didn’t find it particularly embarrassing.

She had done nothing wrong—so what was so terrible about breaking off an engagement?

It wasn’t as if anyone had been hurt. Still, she was grateful for the masquerade; being the center of attention was exhausting.

“So, what kind of family is Lilles with…?”

Idina sat beside them, half-listening to a conversation she had little interest in. Then, catching sight of a royal servant passing by, she called him over.
He handed her a clear glass of water, and she took something from the pouch hanging at her waist, swallowing it with the water.

“Oh, I think that lady has a ‘cycle’.”

The comment came from the person next to her. The voice was oddly familiar, though Idina couldn’t quite place it. She finished the last of her water and nodded.

‘Yes… I’m an omega.’